dramatic story

Let’s face it. History can be boring. In a country where attention deficit has been described as a national epidemic, a 30 minute television show devoid of celebrities judging something, or adultery and drunkenness among suburban housewives is going to be a tough sell to Hollywood.

Stan Ellsworth, host of American Ride on BYUTV

But history can be fascinating, especially when it’s presented by 6’ 2” 300 lb, former NFL lineman Stan Ellsworth. Ellsworth, using the “open road” as a metaphor for freedom, travels the blacktop ribbons of the USA, and passionately narrates the quintessential story of America.

Right now the show is only available on BYU television. Yes, you read that right. Brigham Young University, ground zero for The Church of Latter Day Saints, is airing a (gasp) show featuring a long haired, bearded biker dude on a Harley-Davidson!

Forgive my sacrilege, but I’m not sure if the rumble is from Ellsworth customized Softtail Deluxe or Joseph Smith’s casket spinning in his tomb in Nauvoo, Illinois. (Smith was the founder of and leader of the LDS Church.)

But either way, American Ride is probably the best show that may never reach a mainstream audience simply because it doesn’t have sex, violence or people acting stupid as its central theme.

Introduced last year, the first season covered the dramatic story of the colonies and the Revolutionary War. For history buffs and motorcycle enthusiasts, (especially cruiser / Harley-Davidson enthusiasts) American Ride is the best of both worlds.

There’s no doubt Ellsworth knows his stuff, and his large and imposing stature, unscripted and enthusiastic delivery keeps viewers’ attention though what might otherwise be dry and boring when narrated by anyone else.

Now in its second season, American Ride continues following the progress of our nation’s early years, leading up to the Civil War.

I screened the first two episodes of season 2 on a pre-release DVD and thoroughly enjoyed each one.

If your cable or satellite company doesn’t carry BYU TV, surf on over to www.byutv.org to catch up on the first season and become a fan of USRIderNews on Facebook as we’ll be giving away season one and season two DVD sets in the coming months.

Does it beat Full Throttle Saloon on Tru TV or the Hairy Bikers on BBC? That depends on your tastes. For me, I’d rather watch American Ride, Full Throttle TV and Hairy Bikers than American Idol, Desperate “Hose Wives” or Jersey Hores, uh Shores any day of the week.